- Private ger for every 2 people in Tourist camp
- All meals as listed in itinerary
- All entrance fees
- Sightseeing as per itinerary
- Accommodation in 4 stars hotel inUlaanbaatar (twin standard room double occupancy)
- Transportations by 4WD vehicles
- English speaking guide (other languageguide on request)
- Daily supply of bottled water
Western, Southern and Northern Mongolia Expedition (16 days / 15 nights)
This tour is designed to make you feel comfortable with more flights and less travels on dirt roads. If you choose, you can fly to Bayan-Ulgii province, the most western corner of Mongolia famous for its splendorous mountains and Kazakh eagle hunters. You visit and get introduced with Kazakh people lifestyle. This is a great opportunity for you to find out their eagle hunting while trying their delicious cuisine.
Another fabulous destination is Khuvsgul Lake, which contains 3% of world fresh water, attracts both foreigners and locals throughout a whole year. This area is also a homeland to another extraordinary ethnic people, the reindeer herders. Therefore, this is a great chance for you to compare Kazakh hunters, reindeer herders and later on Mongolian nomads. All three have many similarities, yet unique in their own ways. Lake Khuvsgul is a beautiful spot for you to go hiking, horse trekking, boat sailing and simply walking on a peaceful shore surrounded by forested mountains. We also take you to a deer stone complex where you see the stelae from Bronze Age period but distinct from other deer stones found in elsewhere Mongolia.
The next flight takes you to vast Gobi area where you continue to enjoy untouched steppes, mountains and grasslands namely along with its wild animals (if lucky) and domesticated ones such as Bactrian camels and many others. At Yolin Am gorge, we try to spot ibex and bearded vulture on our way to the ice that is kept the same fro the most time of a year, climb to Khongor Sand Dunes, and the biggest in Mongolia. Along the way we visit camel herders and get a glimpse of their daily house chores such as milking mares, and tending camels. If you wish to, you are always welcome to inquire about their lifestyle and husbandry, and ride a camel to the Dunes. One of the most exciting places in Gobi is definitely Flaming Cliffs that made Gobi known to the whole world due to the exploration of Roy Chapman Andrews. We can go on his trails and try to find dinosaur bones on our own. We offer you the best we have got and this unforgettable tour awaits you.
DETAILED TOUR ITINERARY
Upon arrival at Chinggis Khan International Airport, you are met by your tour guide and transferred to the hotel in the city center.
Free day for rest or independent exploration of Ulaanbaatar
Meals: Dinner
Overnight in 4* hotel
The first stop is Sukhbaatar Square. This central square is named after Damdiny Sukhbaatar, the revolutionary hero of 1921 who declared independence from China. Next is a visit to Gandan Monastery, the largest and most famous functioning monastery in Mongolia. Here you will see the impressive Golden Buddha Statue of Migjid Janraisigand may even have the opportunity to experience monks in worship. Time permitting, you will visit the Natural History Museum, which is famous for its collection of authentic dinosaur skeletons found throughout Mongolia, and then take in a fantastic view of the entire city from Zaisan memorial hill. End the evening with a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight in 4* hotel
1.2 hours flight to Muron and 3 hrs drive to the Lake Khovsgul
Following breakfast, we are transferred to the airport for flight to Muron in the north. Muron is
the headquarter of the Khovsgul Province. We meet our local guide at the airport and then we
drive by 4WD vehicle through the vast Mongolian steppe into the forested mountains and
finally we arrive at the Lake Khovsgul-Mongolia's largest lake. The lake, also known as the
"Dark Blue Pearl" of Mongolia is situated amidst the pristine nature with beautiful forests,
mountains and meadows and abundant with bird species and orchids.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight in ger camp
During whole lovely day, you will have an opportunity to ride reindeer and observe them. We spend
the next two days in walking, hiking, horseback riding in the environs of the lake and the nearby
mountains and visiting the local nomadic families. Optional boating trip is available on request.
Khuvsgul Lake is reckoned among the purest fresh water lakes in the world. Its surroundings right out
of a fairytale. Khuvsgul Lake is the second deepest lake in Central Asia and contains 60% as much
water as Lake Baikal. Depth of Khuvsgul Lake is 262 meters and 136 kilometers long.
Walking and hiking in the lake shores, Horse riding trek near the lake, visiting yak breeding
family and experience their unique lifestyle
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight in ger camp
Following an early morning breakfast, you will be transferred back to the Murun Airport. We bid farewell to our drivers and fly to Ulaanbaatar where we meet our local transport for a 90-minute drive to Gorkhi Terelj National Park. This unforgettable excursion will take you to features such as scenic valleys, a winding river, and restful groves of trees. Many nomads live in the park itself, where they find lush land for their animals, and you may even see majestic herds of yak grazing near the camp. Once inside the park you will be able to visit the notable rock formations "Turtle rock" and “Monk reading a book." You will also have the opportunity to hike up to the Aryabal meditation center and learn more about Mongolian Buddhism.
On the way to the national park, you will take a detour to visit the giant Statue of Chinggis Khan which stands 40m (132 ft) high. The monument is about 33 miles east of Ulaanbaatar and stands at the point where, according to legend, he found a golden whip. The statue is symbolically pointed east, towards his birthplace. It is on top of the Chinggis Khan Statue Complex, a visitor center, itself 10 meters (32 ft 10 in) tall, with 36 columns representing the 36 khans from Genghis to Ligdan Khan. It was designed by sculptor D. Erdenebileg and architect J. Enkhjargal and erected in 2008.
In the afternoon we will drive back to Ulaanbaatar and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in 4* hotel,
Meals: Breakfast
This morning we fly over vast steppe to the Gobi, Mongolia’s southernmost province of semi-
arid desert. Meet your local guide and driver and then transfer by 4WD vehicle to the Yol
Valley in Gurvansaikhan National Park, situated in the lap of Altai Mountains. On the way to
our lodge, we stop to visit the local Natural History Museum for an insight to the flora and
fauna of the area.
The next three days will be well spent exploring the vast Gobi-the habitat of the Bactrian
Camels, Argali mountain sheep, Golden Eagles, Jerboas that resembles the Kangaroo rats,
Saker Falcons etc. We may also take a scenic hike through the valley to discover the habitat
of indigenous vulture-like lammergeyers, Altai snow cocks, ibex, yaks, and Argali mountain
sheep.
Overnight in ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
After breakfast, take in the stunning scenery of the Gobi-Altai Mountain range as you transfer to the towering sand dunes of Khongoryn Els, home to the ‘Singing Sands’. These spectacular dunes got their name from the noise made by the shifting sand in the wind. Feel the breeze in your hair as you ride a camel across the dunes before returning to the ger camp. Isolated from the rest of the country, the Singing Sands are the best kept secret for thousand years in the history of Mongolia.
Overnight in Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Today we will have a full day exploring the sand dunes and rest after the long drive. The dunes seem to stretch on forever like a soft ribbon of sand draped over the desert. The shifting sand blown by the wind or someone makes sound so it is called Singing Sand Dunes. There is a beautiful green oasis known as Seruun bulag near the Khongor River. Return to the camp for lunch and enjoy feeling silence and a peaceful in the beautiful surroundings Gobi Deserts.
Overnight in Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Following breakfast, we drive to Bayanzag. After lunch and some rest, we drive to Bayan Zag, popularly called as “The Flaming Cliffs” for its glowing orange rock. It was here, in 1922, that Dr. This area got international name as Roy Chapman Andrews and his exploration team from the American Museum of Natural History discovered the first nest of dinosaur eggs here. The area is haven for the natural history scientists as the area is rich in dinosaur fossils.
Overnight in Ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
In the morning we drive to the site of the Khavtsgait Petroglyphs. The Khavtsgait
Petroglyphs from the Bronze Age (4000-3000 BC) are beautifully carved on many rocks
on the top of a sacred mountain. It is easy to find the rock paintings there because they
are spread on rocks all around. The area is very rocky and can be slippery to climb, but
by carefully following a path up the mountain, you can reach the top to see these
beautiful rock paintings.
The petroglyphs were carved and painted with motifs consisting of animals,
hunting scenes and weapons. They depict various animals related to everyday life of
ancient people including deer, bears, wolves and hunters, and wolves with livestock.
Other paintings depict more domestic scenes of yaks pulling carts, the wheels and horses
flattened sideways like hieroglyphs, and herders on horseback. The engravings vary in
size, ranging from two-centimeters to the real life size of horses.
Overnight in ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Following breakfast, transfer back to the airport and fly to Ulaanbaatar. Rest of the day is open for you to pursue your own interest.
Overnight in 4* hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Ulgii (2.5 hours), capital of Bayan-Ulgii, Mongolia’s westernmost province. If the time permits, we will visit Ulgii town to explore local market.
Overnight in local hotel or ger camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Ulgii (or Ölgii) is the capital of the Bayan-Ölgii Aimag (province) located in the extreme west of the country. It has an altitude of about 5,600 feet and population of about 29,000. It is the largest town in the area. It is the center of the predominately Kazakh region of Mongolia. The isolation of the Altai Mountains has preserved the language and traditions of the Kazakhs, who live amongst some of the most spectacular scenery in Mongolia. We will visit Kazakh families in their settlement. Their Gers are slightly larger than Mongolian Gers, and are decorated with brightly colored rugs. We will enjoy their hospitality and friendliness and learn more in deep about their culture. You will see their traditional technology to make colorful rug. A visit to the well regarded provincial museum should provide a good overview of the Muslim culture of Western Mongolia that differs so much from most of Mongolia.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight in local hotel or ger camp
We will be visiting some of the nomads of the area and experiencing their unique
lifestyle.
Kazakh craftswomen are renowned for their colorful embroidery and textiles, and their
gers are beautifully decorated. Handcrafted felt carpets line the floor, and delicately
embroidered tapestries adorn the walls of their homes, with each design unique to a
particular family. After meeting a Kazakh, you will be impressed by the generous
hospitality expressed through expansive meals with many dishes and countless cups of
milk tea and sweets.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight in local hotel or ger camp
After breakfast at the base camp, fly back to Ulaanbaatar. En route to the hotel, we may visit the Bogdo Khaan Winter Palace Museum. The Bogdo Khaan Winter Palace is the home of the last Mongolian King, Javzun Damba Khutagt VII. The museum contains a number of Buddhist artworks and the private collection of Bogdo Khaan, composed of gifts from rulers and kings from all over the world. The artworks displayed here were made by the top Mongolian, Tibetan, and Chinese master-sculptors of the 18th and 19th centuries and represent the gods of the Buddhist pantheon. In the evening you can enjoy a farewell dinner and attend the local folklore dance shows.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight in 4* hotel
Transfer to the airport for flight to next destination.